Machine for preparing fabric



l Dec. 4 1923. 1,476,270

E. D. PUT-r MACHINE FOR PREPARING FABRIC Filed Nov. 30 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet lv Dec. 4 1923.

E. D. PUTT MACHINE FOR PREPARING FABRIC Filed NOV 30 1921 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 4, 1923.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD D. PUTT, OF AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE FIRESTONE TIRE AND RUBBER COMPANY, OF AKRON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

MACHINE FOR PREPARING FABRIC.

Application filed November 80, 1921. Serial No. 518,742.

'To all 'whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD D. PU'rr, a citizen of the United States, residing at Akron, in the county of Summit, State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Im rovements in Machines for Preparing I"a ric, of which the following is a specification. d

The machine or apparatus which is the I@ subject of this application is designed for the purpose of preparing fabric for special uses, such for example as the manufacture of tires.

In the manufacture of tires by processes I@ heretofore in use, it has been customary to cut or tear the edge or selvage of the fabric from the main body thereof after it is rubberized or frictioned, so as to avoid the presence of the tight, closely woven threads of fabric which constitute the selvage and which would create a stricture band across the tire if left in the fabric and incorporated in the tire. The loss due to the removal of the selvage edge is considerable both from a standpoint of loss of material and also from the labor required to remove the selvage.

By rn present invention I repose to cut or slit tlgie selvage at the edge y a plurality of short transverse notches which divide the selvage threads into numerous small pieces so that the injurious effects are overcome and the cloth may be incorporated directly into the tire structure. In this way the fabric and rubber is saved as well as the time and labor required to remove the selvage.

I am aware of the fact that it has been proposed to beat or pound the fabric prior to the calendering operation, but my'invention di'ers from this process, in that the fabric is cut or notched at a large number of oints and I do not rely upon bruising or breaking the threads in the process.

In the drawings is shown one embodiment of my invention in which:

Fig. 1 is a view showing my apparatus mounted to treat both edges of the fabrlc, the view being taken transversely of the fabric.

lFig. 2 is a side elevation of the device.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged view ofthe lower roll.

In the drawings 1 represents a supporting framework on which are mounted a pair of motors 2. F rom the framework 1 are suspended two parallel bars or links 3, pvoied at their upper ends and at their lower ends pivotally attached to brackets 3a. A belt l runs from each motor pulley 5 to a pulley 6 on a shaft 7 Vrotated in the bracket.

Each bracket 3a has a downwardly exten ling arm 8 to which is attached an angular guide or finger 9 which is designed to bear against the edge of the fabric 10. A weight 11 may be attached to a part of the swinging framework and serves to keep the finger 9 against the edge of the fabric. The fabric is passed over a series of rolls 11 and 12, the tension thereon causing the fabric to be held taut across the gap between the rolls 12. As the fabric shifts or meanders over the rolls the weight 1l will move the bracket correspondingly so that the device always operates on the edge thereof.

The shaft 7 carries at its outer end over the edge of the fabric a pair of spaced plates or disks 13 between which are arranged a plurality of pins 14 on which are supported a number of hammers or washers 15, the center apertures of which are formed larger than the pins 14 so that a certain looseness is provided about the pins. The outer edges of the hammers project over the disks, the arrangement being such that as the disks are revolved the hammers are thrown outwardly by centrifugal force.

In the bracket 8, below the disks 13 is carried a rotatable wheel or roll 16, 'the surface of which is provided with a plurality ofsharp saw teeth 17. This roll is located below the fabric and at a proper elevation so that the fabric is supported at a position to receive the blows of the hammers 15.

rIhe operation of the device will be readily understood. As the fabric passes over the roll 16, this roll is rotated and the fabric receives a plurality of blows from the rolls or hammers 15. rIhese drive the fabric against the roll and cut a plurality of notches or slits in the selvage which action serves to remove the binding effect of the selvage and makes it usable in the tire structure. The movable frame follows the shifting fabric edge So that the preparation of the selvage goes forward without attention on the part of the operator.

Changes and modifications may be made in the apparatus without altering the invention or sacrificing any of its benefits, and I consider m self entitled to such variations as fall wit in the scope of the appended claims.

Claims: t

1. In an apparatus for treating selvage means for supportin fabric in a taut condition, a' rotatable ro l over which the edge of the fabric passes, the surface of said roll being provided with a plurality of cutting elements, and a pluralit of hammers rotatably mounted above sai roll arranged to be thrown against the cutting elements thereon by centrifugal action.

2. In an apparatus for treating selvawe, a swinging frame, a power drlven s iaft mounted in said frame, a plurality of spaced disks on said shaft, a plurality of pins connecting the disks, hammer elements loosely mounted upon said pins and ada ted to be thrown outwardl by centrifu al orce upon rotation of said disks, means or supporting fabric in a taut condition to receive the blows from the hammels, and a roll rotatably mounted in said frame below the hammers, the surface of said roll being provided with a plurality of closely related cutting teeth, the said teeth cooperating with said hammers to cut the selvage from the fabric.

3. In an apparatus for treating selvage, a swinging frame, a power-driven shaft mounted in said frame, a plurality of spaced disks on said shaft, a plurality of pins connecting the disks, hammer elements looselymounted upon said pins and adapted to be thrown outwardly by centrifugal force upon rotation of said disks, means for supporting fabric in a taut condition to receive the blows from the hammers, a gage upon the frame for locating the fabric in operative position, means for causing the gage to follow the contour of the fabric, and a roll rotatably mounted in said frame below the hammers, the surface of said roll being provivided with a plurality of closely related cutting teeth, the said teeth cooperating with said hammers to cut the selvage from the fabric. y

EDWARD D. PUTT. 

